We just don’t say much about providence in our pulpits these days. We prefer to believe that we control the destiny of our own lives. And in order to assure ourselves of that power, we often twist and distort the Scriptures to our own liking. And to be sure there is a partial truth to some of what we here about determining our own destiny. However, let us deal with the reality that God is the One who holds the key to our destiny and it is He alone who chooses our way. Let me refer you to this portion of Scripture in the book of Ecclesiastes:
Ecclesiastes 7:13-15
Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked? In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him. All things have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a just man that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his life in his wickedness.
It is my conviction that we as Christians would all live more happily and contentedly if we would quit wrestling against the boundaries God has established for our lives and welcome the opportunity to serve Him faithfully and well within those boundaries. There is a line from an old gospel song that often comes to mind in this context: “The Lord will choose for me, ‘tis better far I know, so let Him bid me go, or stay”.
What a challenge and blessing it is to acknowledge that our location, our strengths and abilities and opportunities are a God-given stewardship and to live them out with courage and faithfulness.
